Takara To Make Hasbro Look Foolish Again? [UPDATED 7/8]

[Professor Smooth]

The Alternators/Binaltech rivalry continues. While fans of Takara's Binaltech figures cite the use of die cast metal, realistic metallic paint, higher quality of plastic, displayability of packaging, and a greater number of figures as reasons for sheling out an extra 20 USD, Alternators fans cite the fact that Alternators are less expensive, (supposedly) available on store shelves in countries that are inhabited by people that speak the same language, and look basically the same as their Takara counterparts (from a distance).

Takara's looking to change that. If you'll recall, this is Hasbro's Decepticharge:



It kinda looks like what some kid with photoshop and a picture of a Hot Wheels car might come up with after about 2 hours of sugar cookies and Red Bull.

Here's Takara's Wildrider (note, this is the same figure)





You'll note that it kinda looks like...a friggin' car!

But this isn't really a rumor, now is it? This is a confirmed case of Takara making Hasbro look foolish! So, where's the rumor? Shut up for a second and I'll get around to it. I can wait. You done, Brend?

Takara likes money. Since they're not nearly as big as Hasbro, they can't pass up opportunities to cash in. So, much like Binaltech Tracks before it, Takara may be releasing a Binaltech version of the Decepticharge colorscheme. They'll probably even give it its own backstory. Which, if true, is more story than Hasbro has given the Alternators at all.

So, it's not really "Will Takara make Hasbro look foolish again;" it's more "Will Takara do THIS to make Hasbro look foolish again?"

What do you think? Use the poll on this page to use numbers to express your opinion!

[Denyer]

Here's Takara's Wildrider (note, this is the same figure)

Actually it may be BT-16 Black Widow...

http://www.tfu.info/1999/Maximal/Blacka ... achnia.htm
http://www.tfu.info/2000/Maximal/Blacka ... achnia.htm

http://www.zincpanic.com/character/23135.html

Hasbro's version also doesn't look like a Jackson Pollock in purple and yellow, whereas Decepticharge makes a pretty appropriate update of Drag Strip.

[Brendocon]

Here's Takara's Wildrider

Or, as some of us say, "here's a hotlinked image from a site that blocks hotlinking"

Am I done? Seldom if ever, mate...

[Impactor returns 2.0]

S2000 = birds motor

[Professor Smooth]

Here's Takara's Wildrider (note, this is the same figure)

Actually it may be BT-16 Black Widow...

http://www.tfu.info/1999/Maximal/Blacka ... achnia.htm
http://www.tfu.info/2000/Maximal/Blacka ... achnia.htm

http://www.zincpanic.com/character/23135.html

Hasbro's version also doesn't look like a Jackson Pollock in purple and yellow, whereas Decepticharge makes a pretty appropriate update of Drag Strip.

I'd heard that as well. The "Black Widow" is also the name of that Honda's body-type, though. So it's really more the name of the car than the name of the figure. Unless Takara changes something. Which they do.

[Autobloke]

I'm confused - they're doing WHAT now?
And I kinda like the yellow guy - looks more interesting than the dull blank motors we've been getting alot of.

[Professor Smooth]

I'm confused - they're doing WHAT now?
And I kinda like the yellow guy - looks more interesting than the dull blank motors we've been getting alot of.

Personally, I like the more traditional cars. Chances are that you'll have a both coming from Takara before the end of the year anyway. Choice=great!

[Autobloke]

Alternator/Binaltech Jazz was so plain compared to his G1 incarnation.

[Brendocon]

What's needed is the Hasbro robot scheme attached to the Takara vehicle scheme.

Or has there been some law passed that every new TF has to have at least one fugly mode?

[Professor Smooth]

Or has there been some law passed that every new TF has to have at least one fugly mode?

That would be the Archer Act of '02.

[Shanti418]

Speaking of foolishness, Takara, and BT/ALT, what does the Prof think of the recent female Alt/Sunstreaker/female Micromen rumors?

[Professor Smooth]

Speaking of foolishness, Takara, and BT/ALT, what does the Prof think of the recent female Alt/Sunstreaker/female Micromen rumors?

That will be one of TWO updates coming this week! Stay tuned!

[Metal Vendetta]

I'm liking the idea of a BA BT, but only if done right.

[Professor Smooth]

Speaking of foolishness, Takara, and BT/ALT, what does the Prof think of the recent female Alt/Sunstreaker/female Micromen rumors?

I think they look like this:

Red Alert
http://www.mpsnet.co.jp/hobbynet/Photos ... o0015L.jpg

Sunstreaker
http://www.mpsnet.co.jp/hobbynet/Photos ... o0016L.jpg

Blaster
http://www.mpsnet.co.jp/hobbynet/Photos ... o0017L.jpg

Guess there's really no reason for this to be a rumor any longer.

[Autobloke]

Red Alert:
http://www.mpsnet.co.jp/hobbynet/Photos ... o0015L.jpg

Finally, Prowl gets done with the right bodyshape.

[Shanti418]

Do you think these figs will make the trip across the pond? I would think not.

[Autobloke]

Crap it - you're probably right.
But then, there's always importing.

[Shanti418]

Here's a better pic of Sunstreaker on an eBay auction.

And according to sources, it IS coming to Altnernators.



So what was the thinking a year ago?
"Okay, we've got the Sunstreaker head molded. Why don't we just call 'em Dead End, and then wait another year before we release the exact same mold repainted as Sunstreaker? Quick way to make an extra twenty bucks, I say!"

I am very upset. I remember posting at around the start of the year something to the effect of, "Past Prowl, there aren't any new molds on the horizon, nor are there any other molds that haven't been re-released at least once. Unless Hasbro plans on going through and releasing each mold for a third time, I don't really see what's on the horizon. Little did I realize.

Smooth, what's going on? I'm scared, my whole world is crashing in around me. Weren't you the one who originally reported the rumor of Alternator Jets, or at the very least, an Altnernator Truck? Whatever happened to those good times, when the sun shone brightly upon our collective faces as we wrapped ourselves in the blankets of our innocence to keep warm?

[Denyer]

Looks worse than the yellow Lambor knockoff...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... %3AIT&rd=1

[Professor Smooth]

Smooth, what's going on? I'm scared, my whole world is crashing in around me. Weren't you the one who originally reported the rumor of Alternator Jets, or at the very least, an Altnernator Truck? Whatever happened to those good times, when the sun shone brightly upon our collective faces as we wrapped ourselves in the blankets of our innocence to keep warm?

The last I heard, the jets were still planned for late 2005/early 2006. Don't worry, they're coming.

[Professor Smooth]

Smooth, what's going on? I'm scared, my whole world is crashing in around me. Weren't you the one who originally reported the rumor of Alternator Jets, or at the very least, an Altnernator Truck? Whatever happened to those good times, when the sun shone brightly upon our collective faces as we wrapped ourselves in the blankets of our innocence to keep warm?

I know I'm replying to this post about 6 months too late, but...

Alternator Jets = Masterpiece Starscream/Seekers
Alternator Truck = Optimus Prime (and possible black repaint)

[BB Shockwave]

[
Alternator Truck = Optimus Prime (and possible black repaint)

Well, that was worth waiting for... 'insert irony here'...

Unless they actually do MP Starscream, or do Megs as some actual life tank, I don't see much future for the Alternators. I mean, Energon Wheeljack (yeah, Downshift) or Cybertron Soundwave look much more like their G1 selves then any Alternator. Maybe Hound, Tracks and Blue Streak (what's with calling him Silverstreak now?) are the only exception.